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editor's note

Tanya Chaitanya (Editor Femina India)

For every doubting Thomas who tells you women can’t scale mountains, wrestle in the ring, endure physical hardship, your comeback should be a simple hashtag:#StandStrong.
There’s no bigger retaliation than success, they say. So show your calibre to these detractors or anybody who believes that we, as women, lack the potential to be physically as fit as men by being just that. Not to say that it will be an easy process.
The conditioning that we are not at par physically starts early. From the time we are offered a hand to bring down the cookie jar to when we are told not to lift too heavy a weight; when the sports selectors in schools bypass promising girl children or when the male friends refuse to count us in in any serious hiking plans—that feeling of being physically less is ingrained right from the beginning.
So how is it that we witness sportswomen like Mary Kom packing a punch in the arena or a badminton champ like PV Sindhu physically pushing herself to the limits? Or the fact that celebs like Jacqueline Fernandez, Taapsee Pannu, Katrina Kaif swear by their fitness routine and are known to train for longer hours than their male counterparts?
Then again look beyond these superwomen. Look around you. There are regular women storming into male bastions, physically-challenging professions and pursuits, and coming out triumphant. This new-found confidence comes with taking care of yourself, being cognizant of the fact that our body needs to be given TLC, from the right diet and nutrition to exercise and care to help us stand strong.
This is when I raise a toast: Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them!

Taking a road trip? Here’s how to look after your skin

Actor Raveena Tandon was spotted taking a selfie on the road recently, and looking absolutely amazing! If you’re planning a long road trip on dusty Indian roads, there’s no reason for you to look anything less than amazing as well. Follow these simple tips, for a fabulous travel glow.

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Don’t use too much makeupWhile it may seem tempting to put your best foot forward for all those selfies on the road, going overboard on the makeup will only do more harm than good. You won’t have access to a regular supply of distilled water to wash your face and reapply, or the comfort of a large mirror. So keep it down to a minimum – use a CC cream instead of foundation, a tinted lip gloss, and some smudgy kaajal. Blow dry your hair before you set out, and tie it up neatly under a scarf or hat when you’re not trying to impress anyone.

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Hydrate your skinWhile it is ideal that you keep drinking water, coconut water and juices to rehydrate from the ill-effects of the sun, the lack of toilets might make it uncomfortable to keep ingesting fluids! Instead, you could use a facial hydrating mist every hour, which balances your skin’s pH levels and keeps it from dehydrating and looking dull.

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Watch what you eatRemember – you won’t have an emergency loo handy! Nor can your skin battle binge-eating while on the road. So try and keep your food simple and satvik. Stick to vegetarian fare as far as possible, eat plenty of fresh fruits and boiled or steamed veggies. Avoid tea, coffee, fried food, and food with excess oil or spice as these might aggravate the tummy and cause skin breakouts as well.

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Include essentials in your beauty kitTry and carry these essentials in your beauty kit – blotting paper which absorbs excess oil and sebum from the nose, and the rest of the face; lip balm, to keep your lips from chapping; cleansing wipes to get rid of any unnecessary dirt and grime, a moisturiser or day serum to keep your skin nourished, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect from UV rays, a few rubberbands, and nail paints to touch up any last-minute chipping.